Pittsburgh Post-Gazette high school football preview

City

Only five teams will compete for City League championship

Allderdice has won two consecutive titles and is ranked No. 1, but could this be the year of Westinghouse?

Carrick looks to rebound with first-year coach Brian Nolte and newfound optimism

With a young core, Brashear hopes to shape its future in 2019

Experience should be hallmark for University Prep this season

Allderdice places importance on size in bid for City League three-peat

Rod Rutherford trying to rebuild culture in third season at Perry

Westinghouse ready to show it is much more than Dayon Hayes

1A

WPIAL 1A preview: Clairton primed for return to prominence

Bears are ranked No. 1, but Laurel looks to have one of its best teams in a while.

Greensburg Central Catholic’s ‘great problem’ is too many playmakers

Clairton once again aiming for a WPIAL championship

Bishop Canevin looks to become a ‘Cru’ in coach T.J. Wiley’s first season

Springdale ‘should be ready to take the next step’

Sto-Rox looks to take next step in second year under coach LaRoi Johnson

There’s no rebuilding at Jeannette … it’s next man up

Union’s returning talent could be the difference in conference

Imani Christian rebuilding, beginning at quarterback

‘Tradition never graduates’ — Rochester aims to reload after WPIAL runner-up finish

Behind Zaier Harrison, senior class, Cornell hopes to continue upward trend

Leechburg looking to end playoff drought

Riverview looks to avoid injuries, incorporate freshmen

Laurel looks to ride experience to a playoff berth in 2019

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart balancing expectations after winning WPIAL title

Northgate hopes lessons learned last year translate into wins this year

Young Avella roster hopes to develop balanced offense

Chartiers-Houston looks to senior class to get back to winning ways

West Greene relying on run game to get over hump

Mapletown hoping to rebound from last year’s 0-10 season

Plenty of talent surrounds new California head coach Ed Woods

Jefferson-Morgan optimistic young core will lead turnaround

New coach J.J. Knabb hopes to break Bentworth’s playoff drought

With four all-conference returners, Monessen looks to complete turnaround

2A

WPIAL Class 2A preview: Washington Little Prexies are big favorites

Experienced Carmichaels squad expecting to bounce back from disappointing season

McGuffey looking to make deep playoff run after last season’s close calls

Burgettstown plans to reload, not rebuild, following conference-winning season

After a ‘down year’ by Washington’s standards, Little Prexies out to prove they’re still the class of 2A

South Allegheny football looks to use speed to make WPIAL playoff return

Carlynton football embracing change ahead of 2019 season

Serra Catholic football looks to two-way seniors for success in 2019

Greg Boggs hoping Frazier can carry summer success into his first season as head coach

Beth-Center hopes to reload, not rebuild, after losing all but two starters from 2018

Seton LaSalle still an unknown as 2019 season approaches

Scott Fichter hoping full offseason of preparation pays off for Brownsville in year two

Brentwood leaning on experience at the line of scrimmage for turnaround 2019 season

South Side Beaver to maintain run-first mindset despite player changes

Southmoreland looking to end longtime playoff drought in second year under Dave Keefer

Charleroi coach Lance Getsy out to prove 2018 was no fluke

Fort Cherry facing offensive and depth questions entering new season

Western Beaver looks to make progress under new coach Derek Moye

New Brighton looks for fast start this season

With talented junior class, Freedom looks to continue successful run

Steel Valley hoping to roll with a lineup of new faces

Summit Academy is starting from scratch once again

Experienced but still young, Shenango looks to improve

Apollo-Ridge looking to overcome trend of past two seasons

Shady Side Academy in rebuilding mode

Behind veteran offensive line, Neshannock looks to get back to winning ways

East Allegheny looking to maintain playoff run

With veteran QB presence, Riverside ready to keep postseason streak going

Ellwood City in search of stability and consistency in program

Mohawk looks to build off success despite losing key contributors

Valley hoping underclassmen mature in a hurry

3A

WPIAL Class 3A preview: Despite heavy losses, Aliquippa still the team to beat

Quips have made championship 11 consecutive seasons

South Park ready to power up behind seasoned offensive line

Beaver Falls using 1-8 season as motivation to maintain success

Aliquippa has tough act to follow in defending its WPIAL, PIAA titles

Line play will be the key for Freeport this season

Quaker Valley aims to get off to quick start despite rough opening schedule

Uncertainty up front, but experience at linebacker for Deer Lakes

Mount Pleasant has a new quarterback. Fortunately for him, he has a ready-made favorite target

Offense could be key to Keystone Oaks’ success

Waynesburg ready to plow through to playoffs

A full season of Chase Whatton could help Elizabeth Forward on both sides of the ball

Central Valley looking to pick up where it left off last season

North Catholic has the pieces for another deep playoff run

After two consecutive winless seasons, Uniontown turns to a freshman quarterback

Derry Area needs quarterback to step up after heavy losses at running back

Larger roster, new quarterback should help Burrell

With a new line and new quarterback, Yough looks for multidimensional offense

New coach Matt Weiss looking to return the magic to Hopewell

4A

WPIAL Class 4A preview: Thomas Jefferson looking for fifth consecutive title game appearance

Rod Steele hoping to transform West Mifflin into a winner

Expectations remain high at Belle Vernon

Highlands hoping a new QB can lead a roster that’s gained experience

New Castle wants to be more explosive, improve passing game

Greensburg Salem hoping experience of last season’s playoff run carries over

South Fayette is reloading but still hungry

Shoring up defense top priority for Trinity

Knoch hopes to build on excitement generated this offseason

Ringgold in rebuilding process under first-year coach

Beaver hoping to build on strong first season in WPIAL Class 4A

Indiana hoping to gain experience and continue to make positive strides

Laurel Highlands hoping new offense, new coach will help turn things around

Montour hopes experience will bolster bounce-back season

Loss in championship motivating Thomas Jefferson

New coach looks to lift spirits at Ambridge

Blackhawk is back. Now what?

5A

WPIAL Class 5A preview: Depth of quality teams makes this the WPIAL’s best classification

New coach hopes to continue winning ways at Bethel Park

Under coach Mike Junko, Upper St. Clair begins a new era

Woodland Hills hopes offense will catch up to defense

Baldwin has the talent in place for a big season

Chartiers Valley continues to trend in the right direction

Loaded at the skill positions, Peters Township should be one of the best in Class 5A

New West Allegheny coach hopes to continue tradition

Quarterback in place, Moon sets sights on playoff berth

With rebuilding season in the past, Fox Chapel aims for relevance

Penn Hills is hungry and driven to defend state championship

Experience has Penn-Trafford positioned for title contention

For Kiski Area and coach Sam Albert, chemistry is the word

Don Holl has Gateway primed for another big year

After return to playoffs, North Hills is aiming for more in 2019

Franklin Regional hopes physical identity can propel Panthers past WPIAL semifinals

Shaler looks to continue climb after turnaround and playoff berth

Hampton believes it’s made progress. Now, it’s time for more wins

Reloaded offense has McKeesport set up for another playoff run

With both star power and questions, Mars looks to continue its consistency

Latrobe hoping to take next step after earning first postseason berth since 2009

Healthy once again, Armstrong looking forward to challenges that await

Matt Morgan hoping talented offensive core can carry Plum back to postseason

Coach Marko Thomas feeling confident heading into third year at Connellsville

6A

WPIAL Class 6A preview: Bob Palko tenure begins at Mt. Lebanon